Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M., M.M. group of four awarded to temporary Corporal Signaller N. Walker, Royal Field Artillery, who was awarded the D.C.M. ‘for going to the rescue of three comrades buried while asleep in their dugout by a direct hit, and showing great coolness under heavy shellfire and gas at Gouzeacourt’; and the M.M. ‘for keeping the Battery in communication under heavy shell fire, and showing remarkable courage at Hargecourt, Bellecourt, and Beaurevoir during the advance whilst in charge of Signallers.’ Wounded on the Western Front on 18 February 1918, he was additionally twice Mentioned in Despatches

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (160820 Bmbr: N. Walker. R.F.A.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (160820 Bmbr: N. Walker. D.C.M. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (160820 Bmbr. N. Walker. R.A.) good very fine (4) £1,000-£1,400

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1919:
‘From 25th February to 16th September, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, especially during the Somme retirement on 21st March. This signaller N.C.O. has always been very reliable. His cheerfulness and disregard of personal safety when maintaining communication has set a very fine example to the other men.’

M.M. London Gazette 23 July 1919.

Newman Walker was born in Macclesfield, Cheshire, on 15 January 1892 and attested for the Royal Field Artillery at Preston on 20 September 1916, being posted as Driver to No. 2 Depot, R.F.A., before transferring to No. 9 Reserve Battery the next day. Subsequently posted to No. 28 Reserve Battery, he was promoted Bombardier on 2 June 1917 and served during the Great War on the Western Front from 19 June 1917.

Appointed Bombardier Signaller in December 1917, Walker was wounded on 18 February 1918 whilst serving with No. 504 Battery, R.F.A., but remained on duty. He was subsequently awarded both the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal - in a letter written by the recipient to the War Office, a copy of which is held on his service file, stamped and dated ‘R.F.A. Records Office, 15 September 1919 Woolwich’, Walker describes how his D.C.M. was awarded ‘for going to the rescue of three comrades buried while asleep in their dugout by a direct hit, and showing great coolness under heavy shellfire and gas at Gouzeacourt’; and that his M.M. was awarded ‘for keeping the Battery in communication under heavy shell fire, and showing remarkable courage at Hargecourt, Bellecourt, and Beaurevoir during the advance whilst in charge of Signallers.’

For his services during the Great War Walker was additionally twice Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 21 May 1918 and 7 July 1919), and was promoted Temporary Corporal on 20 June 1919. He was discharged on 11 September 1919.